Hucclecote Surgery is at the heart of the community and our main aim is to provide correct and beneficial healthcare to the patients of Hucclecote Surgery.
As some of you may be aware GP practices across the country are experiencing significant and growing strain with declining GP numbers, rising demand, struggles to recruit and retain staff and knock-on effects for patients.
See the below poster for some statistics showing how general practice has been affected:
Despite an increase in the overall number of doctors working in General Practice, in April 2024 there were the equivalent of 1,759 fewer fully qualified full-time GPs than there were in September 2015 (when the current data collection method began).
Numbers of fully qualified GPs have recently started to increase though – in April 2024, there were 375 more fully qualified GPs than there were in April 2023.
The GP partner workforce has been shrinking since 2015 when this dataset began, with the loss of 5,564 full time equivalent GP partners during this time. In April 2024 there were 16,091 full time equivalent GP partners compared to 16,534 in April 2023: a total loss of 443 full time equivalent GP partners in the last year alone. On a headcount basis, this is a loss of 455 GP partners.
Since 2017, the number of GPs working full time hours or more in GP practice-based settings has been steadily decreasing.
At the same time, the number of GPs choosing to work less than full-time has been climbing. This is likely because doctors are, understandably, moving towards working patterns that allow them to better control their hours and workload in order to reduce stress, ill-health and burnout and to improve work-life balance.
Although these GPs may be working less than one full time equivalent on paper, in reality ‘part time’ as a GP very often means working a number of additional unpaid hours just to get through the large numbers of appointments and essential patient follow-up (administrative) work.
Survey responses from BMA members suggest this trend is likely to continue (September 2021; just over 2,050 overall respondents) with half of respondents saying they plan to work fewer hours after the pandemic.
However, not all hope is lost
Hucclecote Surgery and other GP practices across Gloucestershire have introduced new roles to practices to regain balance amongst GP appointments.
We have many other allied healthcare professionals who are highly trained working alongside Hucclecote Surgery that can help with your healthcare issues as well as some social help.
By seeing these other healthcare providers, it frees up GP time to see patients who desperately need GP care and in return, reduces our waiting times.
Our patient advisors will be able to guide you to which health care professional will be the most beneficial to you.
Please help our practice to help you and utilise these professionals to have you seen in a safer time period and you never know, it may be the best thing you’ve done!
Sammy our care co-ordinator. Sammy’s main role is to support patients and families during end of life and palliative treatments.
Louise supports Hucclecote surgery patients’ by completing a comprehensive assessment which involves assessing a variety of different issues that can affect frail or older people, including memory screen and general support to ensure living at home is safe.
Emma Crofts is our social prescribing link worker and supports patients to access services in the community to improve their health and wellbeing.
Katie is our clinical pharmacist and has been practising for 10 years and has experience in general practice, community pharmacy and the NHS throughout Gloucestershire. Katie helps with any medication concerns/questions.
Emma Smith is a pharmacy technician for the PCN, and is here to help assist with medication queries, review clinical letters and medication safety within the practice.
Aiman is one of our physiotherapists, and is able to help with a range of muscular and skeletal issues such as back and leg pain, neck pain and joint pain. She can also help signpost services and support resources.
Pharmacy First
We can help you without needing a GP appointment. Find out more about how contacting your pharmacy can help you get the care you need more quickly: